Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, stated that any decision to deploy Pakistani troops to Gaza for peacekeeping duties will be made by the government and parliament. Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, he emphasized that the Pakistan Army remains strictly apolitical and does not wish to be involved in political matters.
He underlined that the army’s role is to safeguard the nation’s security, defend its borders, and ensure the safety of its citizens. “Pakistan is fully prepared to defend its frontiers and its people,” he said, adding that the country makes its policies independently as a sovereign state.
Army Reiterates Its Apolitical Position
Lieutenant General Sharif reiterated that the Pakistan Army should remain separate from politics. He highlighted that the military’s commitment lies solely in protecting the nation and maintaining stability. Transitional changes in the political landscape, he added, must not draw the army into controversies or political debates.
He assured that the army operates within the constitutional framework and continues to prioritize professionalism and discipline in every aspect of its duties.
Pakistan’s Fight Against Terrorism
During the briefing, the DG ISPR provided details about the ongoing counterterrorism operations across the country. He revealed that 1,667 terrorists have been neutralized in operations targeting the militant group Fitna Al Khawarij. However, he noted that networks linked to political groups and criminal elements still pose significant challenges to national stability.
He stated that Pakistan remains determined to eliminate terrorism completely. “There will be no dialogue with terrorist groups,” he said, emphasizing that the conditions presented by Afghanistan were irrelevant in this context. What matters most, he stressed, is the total eradication of terrorism from the region.
Response to Afghanistan and Cross-Border Challenges
Lieutenant General Sharif said Pakistan’s response to recent challenges from across the Afghan border had been both “swift and effective.” The measures, he noted, produced “the results we sought,” reinforcing Pakistan’s resolve to secure its western frontier.
He also warned about the growing nexus between narcotics smugglers and political actors in Afghanistan. Large quantities of drugs, he said, continue to be smuggled into Pakistan from across the border, contributing to organised crime and instability.
Pakistan’s Priority: National Security and Sovereignty
The DG ISPR concluded by reaffirming that Pakistan’s priority remains national security and sovereignty. The government and parliament will make decisions regarding international peacekeeping, including any involvement in Gaza. Meanwhile, the army continues its mission of defending Pakistan’s people and borders, keeping itself away from political involvement.
